OCEAN COLOUR SCENE + THE DELAYS.
AT HULL CITY HALL. 09/ 09/ 03.
On arrival at the venue I was told by the people stood in the queue that I had just missed out on seeing Ocean Colour Scene sound check. Apparently 10 fans got to witness the band perform 3 tracks and then got to chat with them. I�m very jealous.
After waiting outside in the freezing cold for around an hour, the doors opened at 7pm and we were let in. I got on the front row. At 8pm The Delays wandered on stage. The band are made up of Greg Gilbert (Lead Vocals / guitar), Aaron Gilbert (Keys / backing Vocals), Colin Fox (Bass Guitar / Backing Vocals) and Rowly (Drums).
I had only heard one track by the Southampton four piece up until this gig so I didn�t really know what to expect. I was a little disappointed actually. They were really good but I was expecting something better. Their guitar pop reminded me of bands like JJ72.
Their debut single 'Nearer than Heaven' is featured in Mell Smith's soon to be released film Blackball staring Johnny Vegas. The highlight of their set was the bands second single 'Hey Girl' which recently entered the UK top 40.
Not sure if the band were to blame or if there was problems with the sound but either way I could barely hear the vocals. I would have enjoyed their set so much more if the vocals had been louder and clearer. There was a mixed response from the crowd.
I hadn�t seen Ocean Colour Scene since April 1999. That gig took place in the same venue as this gig. I don�t remember much about the 1999 gig but at this gig the band were on top form. They opened with �Oh Collector� before continuing straight away with �I Just Need Myself�.
From then onwards the crowd went crazy. One of my favourite Ocean Colour Scene tracks, �The Circle� came early in the set. It was during that track when a group of 3 larger lout wankers appeared behind me. They had pushed several people out of the way to reach that position. They remained behind me throughout the rest of the gig. They did try getting me out of the way so they could steal my place at the front. I�m pleased to say they failed. Until the final song of the night that is when I did get pushed out of the way.
They were total losers. You know when the crowd suddenly surges one way and it feels like you are going to fall to the ground? Well it seems little groups of people actually plan those sudden surges. Those people stood behind me kept making plans to push people at certain times in certain directions. It seems they turned up to be as annoying, ignorant, selfish and immature as possible and not for the music.
�Profit In Peace� was followed by a new track called �On My Way�. Simon dedicated the track to George W Twat. Nice. I was surprised at how few new tracks were performed. Normally when a band goes on tour at around the time of releasing a new album they spend most of the gig singing as many tracks as possible from it in an attempt to promote it more and sell more copies. Ocean Colour Scene however fill the majority of their sets with tracks people are already familiar with and can sing along to etc which is obviously a good thing. The atmosphere at gigs like that is so much better. They certainly know how to please a crowd.
This was the third time in five years Ocean Colour Scene had visited this venue. They seem to like Hull for some reason. Most other bands of that size tend to avoid the city. The whole band were clearly enjoying themselves, apart from maybe Oscar. Although it�s hard to tell what Oscar is thinking at the best of times. He never seems to show any kind of emotion. Simon said little between songs but less talking means more music. That can only be a good thing.
�Mechanical Wonder� came soon after the fantastic �Travellers Tune�. A number of B-sides and album tracks were performed in between all the big singles. Every Ocean Colour Scene B-side is actually good enough to be an actual single. Few bands are capable of putting out such fantastic B-sides. It is something the band should be proud of.
Three classics in a row concluded the set: �One For The Road�, �The Day We Caught The Train� and �Hundred Mile High City�. The crowd sang along to all. It was a really mixed crowd actually. Quite a few young kids were there, lots of teenagers and student types plus lots of middle aged people who I expect have followed the band throughout their 14 year career.
The encore began with Simon wandering back on stage alone to perform the truly amazing �Robin Hood�. He didn�t need to sing. The crowd would have gladly sang it for him. We were also treated to a little bit of the Oasis track �Live Forever� before the rest of the band returned to the stage in time for �Get Away�. It was one of the highlights of the set. The night drew to a close with �The Riverboat Song�, made famous by it�s use on TFI Friday.
Steve thanked us for coming etc before Oscar threw out his drumsticks into the crowd. Some people ended up on the floor while trying to catch them. I asked the security people for a set list. As usual they wouldn�t get me one. Bastards. Was a bloody good night overall. Hope I get to see them again soon.
BY MR MARTYN. SEPTEMBER 2003. |